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LithiumProper use of this medication: * This medication is not addictive, and does not cause a 'high' feeling. * Take this medication exactly as directed. Do not take more and do not take it more often than prescribed. Do not miss doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, take only the current dose. Do not double doses unless so instructed by your physician. * Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. * Be sure to drink plenty of water while taking this medication, especially if you perspire excessively, such as during the hot summer months. Sports drinks may replace salts lost by excessive perspiration. * Lithium should be taken with food, to reduce side effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. * Lithium may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Lithium is present in breast-milk. If there is a possibility you may become pregnant or breast-feed while on this medication, first consult with your psychiatrist. * This medication should not be discontinued without first consulting with your psychiatrist. Return of symptoms or rapid worsening may occur with discontinuation. * Because people respond to medicines in very individual ways, you and your physician may have to try many dosages regimens before finding the does that best works for you. Dosage adjustments may be necessary both when acute manic or depressive symptoms become worse and as they improve. Changes in dosage should always be made in consultation with your physician. * Store this medicine in a cool, safe place away from the reach of children. Lithium is usually well-tolerated. However, the following side effects may occur: * Nausea and vomiting: Call your physician if this occurs. Taking Lithium with meals may prevent this. * Diarrhea: Contact your physician if this occurs. * Tremor: This will usually go away with continued use. Contact your physician if this persists or become problematic. Emotional stress and caffeine may worsen tremor. * Weight gain: This may occur with continued use of Lithium. Regular exercise is the best way to prevent this side effect. * Increased thirst or urination: This usually goes away with several weeks of continued use. Notify your physician if this persists or presents a significant problem. * Muscular weakness: This usually goes away with continued use. * Drowsiness: This usually goes away with time. If you are drowsy, use caution with driving or operating dangerous machinery. * Rash: Rash may occur during the first 3 weeks of treatment and usually disappears with continued use of Lithium. Acne may occur or worsen with continued use. Psoriasis may worsen with Lithium use. * Hair loss: This is quite uncommon and is temporary. Hair almost always completely grows back, even when lithium is continued, after several weeks. Too much Lithium can cause toxicity. Contact your physician immediately if the following symptoms develop or suddenly become worse: * Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, dizziness, sleepiness, slurred speech, balance problems. Lithium blood levels: * For Lithium to work, there must be a certain amount in your blood at all times. Your physician may request periodic blood tests to make sure you have the right amount of Lithium, yet not too much. * Lithium blood levels should be taken 12-14 hours after your last dose. Usually this will mean taking the blood test in the morning. If you take Lithium in the morning, take it after you have your blood drawn. * Other blood tests may also be periodically taken to monitor potential harmful effects of Lithium on the kidney and thyroid. Notify your psychiatrist if you are taking any of the following other medications, or if any of the following medications have recently been changed: * Diuretics (water pills), medications to treat Diabetes. * Caffeine: Reducing caffeine intake can raise Lithium levels, causing increased side effects and even toxicity. Increasing caffeine intake can lower Lithium levels, making it less effective. * Lithium levels may be increased by Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, etc.), Ketoprofen (Orudis), Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), Celecoxib (Celebrex), rofecobix, etc. * Certain diuretics (water pills), ACE inhibitors (Accupril, Altace, Capoten, Lotensin, Monopril, Prinivil, Univasc, Vasotec and Vasoretic, Zestril and Zestoretic, Lotrel, Capozide), Tetracycline (an antibiotic). * Lithium levels may be decreased by Verapamil and Theophylline. * Lithium may also interact with haloperidol (Haldol), and carbamezapine (Tegretol), at times causing serious symptoms. |
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